Breast Lumpectomy
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Get Well Soon Helping you to make a speedy recovery after breast-conserving surgery Breast surgery Lumpectomy Contents Who this leaflet is for 2 What to expect after the operation 3 Things that will help you recover more quickly 5 Returning to work 7 Planning for your return 8 Driving 9 Recovery tracker 10 After you get home 14 Keeping well 16 Website links 17 This leaflet is a guide to recovering from lumpectomy of the breast. It does not provide specific medical advice or diagnosis, nor does it give advice about whether you should consent to an operation. All of these matters depend on individual medical advice from your consultant surgeon based on your own health, medical condition and personal circumstances. Get Well Soon Helping you to make a speedy recovery after lumpectomy Who this leaflet is for This leaflet is for anyone who is recovering from, or who is about to undergo, Every individual has different needs and Print instructions: lumpectomy or breast-conserving surgery recovers in different ways – so not all for breast cancer. It should be read in the advice in this leaflet will be suitable To print this document click conjunction with any other information for everybody. This leaflet offers broad once on the print icon in your you have already been given about your guidelines for people who do not have Acrobat Browser, or go to File, procedure. any complications with their surgery, and then Print on the drop down whose job is not physically demanding. menu. The technical term for your breast operation is wide local excision. This Everyone who undergoes a lumpectomy To print only one page, select is how your surgeon and other health should have an allocated contact at the the page number you want in professionals who are helping you may hospital (a key-worker or breast care nurse your print menu, usually under refer to it. The operation involves removal specialist) who helps to coordinate all ‘options’ or ‘preferences’ of the lump or abnormal area and a small aspects of care. They will help you make depending on the printer type. amount of the normal tissue around it, the right choices for a safe and speedy whilst conserving the breast shape. When recovery. To save ink, select the ‘draft’ you have a lumpectomy, most women will option. usually be offered surgery to remove some Your surgeon, general practitioner (GP) or all of the lymph nodes in the armpit and other healthcare professionals will (axilla) on the same side. The extent of also offer you a lot of very good advice – your surgery will influence how quickly you but ultimately it’s you that has to make the recover. decisions about your care. Most women undergo surgery followed Knowing what to expect after the by either radiotherapy, chemotherapy, operation can help you to make a quicker anti-hormone tablets or any combination recovery and get back to enjoying the best of these. After lumpectomy, almost all possible quality of life. In the pages that women with invasive breast cancer will follow, you’ll find information that will help be offered radiotherapy. Some studies you do that. A diagnosis of breast cancer have shown benefit in giving anti-hormone can provoke a wide range of feelings tablets or chemotherapy before surgery and emotions; these can be frightening to reduce the size of the lump, allowing it and difficult to deal with. This leaflet also to be more easily removed. However, your includes web-links to other sources of individual treatment plan will be discussed valuable information. at multidisciplinary team meetings with all the specialists involved in your care; they will make recommendations together and then discuss these treatment options with you. You may also be asked if you would like to take part in national clinical trials; these studies help researchers to develop better treatments and improve outcomes for patients in the future. 2 Get Well Soon Helping you to make a speedy recovery after lumpectomy What to expect after the operation There will be some variation both in the Stitches extent of each individual patient’s surgery Most lumpectomy scars have dissolvable Pain relief and their body’s response to it; patient stitches that do not need to be removed. Some painkillers, such as recovery programmes may therefore vary. However, if you have stitches that do those containing codeine, need to be removed, this is usually done may cause constipation, so Scar around 7–10 days after your operation by it’s important to get plenty Your scar will usually be discussed with a nurse in your own home, or by a nurse at of fibre in your diet while you you before your operation. It is normally your local clinic or treatment centre. Your are recovering. Fresh fruit and placed within the bra line so is not visible hospital should already have given you vegetables will help to keep when you are wearing clothes. Scars advice about how your wounds are closed your bowels moving regularly. may be raised, red or swollen at first, but and how to care for them. Lactulose may also be useful. should gradually settle and will fade over time. Discomfort Following a lumpectomy, tingling and Dressings mild pain around the scar are common After your operation, the scar will be complaints during the first few days. covered with a waterproof dressing. It Your surgeon may have put some local is wise to keep the dressing dry for the anaesthetic on your wound during surgery first 48 hours, then you may shower or so you may not have any pain initially; bathe as normal, but try not to soak the you will have been given some simple dressing. The scar will need to remain pain-relieving tablets while you are on the covered for 7–10 days. ward and also to take home. Remember to take them as prescribed, for as long as Wounds can weep a little and the dressing required. may need to be changed. If this is the case, or if you have any other wound At 4–6 weeks, the breast may still feel firm. problems, the ward staff, your local This is usually where the fat in your breast dressing clinic, or your breast care nurse has become hard; it is nothing to worry will be able to advise you on how to about and should settle and soften over manage this. time. Once your dressing is removed, avoid rubbing soap or shower gel directly onto your wound. Pat the scar dry with a soft towel. Do not pick any scabs that form as they are protecting the new tissue growing underneath. 3 Get Well Soon Helping you to make a speedy recovery after lumpectomy What to expect after the operation Swelling or heaviness of the Feeling tired or emotional breast If you feel tired or emotional in the days In the first few weeks after surgery, and weeks after your operation, try not to sometimes clear or pink-stained fluid worry – this is a quite normal reaction that can collect under the skin as a swelling many women experience. A diagnosis of (seroma). You may also develop bruising; breast cancer can provoke a wide range this will slowly fade, although sometimes a of feelings and emotions; these can be hard, tense bruise can form (haematoma). frightening and difficult to deal with. Your breast care nurse specialist, surgeon and If either a seroma or a haematoma does GP will be able to offer you sources of develop, it can be uncomfortable and help and support. As your physical activity give you a heavy feeling in your breast. levels improve, you will steadily start to Both of these can be dealt with in a feel less tired and as time goes on you will straightforward way. Contact your breast feel less anxious. care nurse and she will be able to advise you; otherwise speak with your GP for further advice. Hollowing After a lumpectomy, you may experience a hollowing under the skin where the tissue has been removed. This is often called a defect; it is not harmful but it may bother you. If you are concerned about it, speak with your breast care nurse or surgeon who will be able to advise you. Wearing clothes after a lumpectomy When you go home you can wear a supportive, sports-style bra. You can also wear it at night if you find this more comfortable. 4 Get Well Soon Helping you to make a speedy recovery after lumpectomy Things that will help you recover more quickly Eat healthily Keep a routine If you live alone and don’t A healthy balanced diet containing a Get up at your normal time in the morning, have family or friends living variety of foods, including plenty of fresh get dressed and move about. If you get close by, organise support in fruit and vegetables, will help to ensure tired, rest later. advance – if possible, have that your body has all of the nutrients it family or friends come to stay needs to heal. Exercises with you for the first couple of Your surgeon or breast care nurse may weeks after surgery. Stop smoking recommend shoulder exercises as part By not smoking – even if it’s just for the of your recovery; these will stop your time before your operation and while shoulder getting stiff. If so, it is important you’re recovering – you immediately start to continue these at home for as long to improve your circulation and breathing, as you are advised. It is possible that not to mention a whole list of other some patients may also need to receive benefits to the heart and lungs.